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England's captain Ben Stokes is said to be "exhausted" but still "fit and ready" to deliver overs, per assistant coach Jeetan Patel, even though he did not bowl on the day three of a pivotal Ashes Test.

Stokes deployed a quintet of alternative bowlers as Australia progressed to 271-4 in their second innings, establishing a commanding lead of 356 runs at the venue.

The dynamic player had previously spent over five hours at the crease over two days to score 83 runs in England's first innings.

A Demanding Knock

During his marathon 198-ball innings, the veteran cricketer was struck on the head by Mitchell Starc and suffered bouts of cramp. He also needed a period off the field on the previous day after hitting his head on the turf while trying to field the ball.

"He could be a bit tired and just need a bit of time to himself right now," commented Patel.

"From what I understand, he's quite ready to bowl. I think he's just really exhausted and he's taken a lot out of himself to get through this point in the match."

Past Fitness Concerns

Given his chequered injury history – Stokes has not played a full part in any of England's previous four series – any suggestion the star all-rounder might be nursing an issue attracts considerable scrutiny.

Eager to be in the heat of battle, Stokes' absence from the attack on Friday was curious given it was England's last chance to stay in the Ashes series.

At 2-0 down and requiring a victory in Adelaide to keep their hopes of regaining the urn alive, England had conceded a first-innings deficit of 85 runs.

"All I know is he operates at 100%," said Patel. "If he thinks he can't do it at 100%, I don't think he's going to do it. That's likely where he's at."

The visiting side could have stayed within the contest by bowling out Australia for around 240 in their second innings and had faint chances at 53-2 and 149-4, only for the hosts to pull away through Travis Head's unbeaten 142.

Even though England delivered 66 overs, Stokes chose not to bowl.

"He abstained from bowling but that's probably a separate conversation with him," said ex-New Zealand player Patel.

"I don't actually know. We all know he doesn't do anything at 80%. Maybe he thought he was a liability, so he didn't bowl."

Past Instances and Current Strain

The most recent occasion Stokes limited his bowling was on the last day of the tied fourth Test against India at Old Trafford in July.

He subsequently was absent for the fifth Test at The Oval with a shoulder injury.

Stokes has a reputation of driving himself past breaking point, and it was put to Patel that the captain felt he might have endangered himself if he pushed himself any further in Adelaide.

Facing Imminent Loss

England stand on the edge of yet another defeat in Australia, once again likely to be beaten inside the first three Tests of the series.

If the tourists' loss is sealed on Saturday's fourth day, it would mean the destination of the Ashes has been determined in 10 days – the opening two matches were over in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight playing days to win in England, has the victor of an Ashes series been decided this quickly.

A Formidable Challenge

If a primary objective is to extend this match into a fifth day, England will also have to pull off the greatest run-chase at the Adelaide Oval to keep the series alive.

"I remain convinced there's an chance for us," stated Patel. "It won't be easy, we're going to need something magical. I think it's about time we saw something magical from us."

"Three games in, we've landed some blows but taken a lot. It's time, now we're with our backs to the wall, to throw some haymakers."